Gun-trap.



Y No. 861,128.

PATENTED JULY 23, 190 7.

w. KLBSPIES. GUN TRAP.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. 9. 1907.

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N0." 861,128. PATENT-ED JULY 23, 1907.

W. KLESPIES.

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WILLIAM KLESPIES, 0F GRANDFALLS, TEXAS. r "f 1 GUN-TRAP.

Specification of I Letters Patent.

Application filedApril 9, 1907. 'SerialNo. 3675267.

Toall whom it may concern: 1

"Be it known that I, WILLIAM KLESPIES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grandfalls, in the county of Ward and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gun-Traps, of which the folf lowing is a specification.

This invention relates to animal traps and relates more particularly to a gun trap in which the firearm is discharged by an animal disturbing the bait.

The invention has for one of its objects to improve and simplify the construction and operation of devices of this character so as to be comparatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture, thoroughly reliable and satespecially intended for pistols, the frame on which the;

pistol is mounted being so shaped as to be adapted for use as a stock whereby the pistol can be fired as a rifle.

A still further object is the provision of a mounting for the pistol-carrying frame, whereby the frame can move freely to enable the bead to be brought on the head of the animal when the latter pulls on the'trigger actuating member.

Another object of the invention is to provide clamping means whereby pistols of different makes can be used in connection with the supporting frame.

With these objects in view and others, as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention comprises the various novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be more fully described hereinafter and set forth with particularity in the claims appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawing, which illustrates one of the embodiments of the invention, Figurel is a side elevation of the gun trap shown with the parts in set position. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sideview of the supporting frame and pistol thereon. Fig. 3 is a side view of the pistol mounted on the frame, the latter being shown as a gun stock. Fig. 4 is an enlarged front view of the yoke for mounting the pistol supporting frame on the standard of the trap. Fig. 5 is a side view of a modified form of clamping means for adjustably securing the butt or handle of the pistol on the supporting frame. Fig. 6 is a front view of the modified form of clamping means. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on line 77 Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a section on line 88, Fig. 2, showing-the rest for the barrel of the pistol. Fig. 8 is a similar view showing a filler piece for the rest for adapting the is rotatably mounted a yoke 3 composed of superimposed U-shaped members drivetedtogether. The ends of the arms of the uppermember 4 are provided-with apertures 5 for receiving the -pivot-6.that supportsthe frame 7 on which the pistol is mounted, the said'frame having lugs-6 for receivingthe pivot. The'frame 7 is'of any suitable form preferably in the general outline of the stock of a gun and provided with an extension 8 to Whichthe pistol is clamped. The members 9 and '10 of the frame 7 are provided-with apertures 11 in which is longitudinally movable the bait-carrying rod 12 which is of any desired length and to-which is attached by a Wire 13'or othenflexible element thebait 14, such as meat. The rod 12 is reduced'on opposite sides to form recesses 15inwhich engage the bifurcations 16 of the lever 17, the end walls'18 ofthe recesses forming stops or abutments that engage the bifurcations to'cause-the lever 17 to tilt. The'lever 17 is mounted on a bracket 19 secured to the-member 9 0n the frame 7 and the lower end, as shown in Fig.2, i hingedly connected with the bent trigger-actuating member 20, the latter being provided with spaced apertures 21 through any one of which and an aperture in the=lever 17, the 'pivot pin 22 extends. By this means, the connection between'the lever and trigger member'can be adjusted to suit differentp'istols. "The trigger actuating member 20 slides in an opening 23in the portion 10 of the frame 7 and adjacent-the rear'end of the trigger member is a laterallyextending pin 24 that engages'in front of thetrigger 25 of the pistol so as to fire the latter when the-bait-carrying rod 12 is pulled in a direction away from the-trap, whereby the lever 17 is tilted and the member 20 moved rearwardly.

The pistol designated generally by 26 in the present instance represents a Winchester, center fire Belgian double-action firearm and is capable of discharging six times without'requiring to be re-loaded. It will thus be seen that the trap is capable of killing six animals with one bait since apistol of this make will re-cock automatically, it being understood that the parts of the trigger mechanism are so proportioned that the spring of the pistol will return the trigger actuating mechanism of the trap to the normal position after an animal has beenkilled. The barrel 27 of the pistol'is seated in a crotched rest 28 011 the frame 7 and thehandle or butt of the pistol is clamped tothe extension'8 of the said frame.

According'to 'the clamping device shown inFigs'l and 2, the said device comprises a stationary clamping member or abutment 29 and an adjustable abutment or member 30 secured by a finger screw 31 and on opposite sides of the handle 32 of the pistol are plates 33 that are embraced by the clamping members 29 and 30. It is preferable to remove the usual. handle pieces secured to the frame of the pistol so that the latter can be more firmly clamped in position. Suitably arranged on the eirtension is a second stationary clamping member or abutment 34 which extends in the opposite direction from the clamping member 29 and is adapted to be used for securing the pistol to the extension 8 when the frame 7 is employed as a shoulder stock, thereby adapting the pistol for use in the manner of a rifle. Obviously when the pistol is clamped in the position shown in Fig. 3, the removable clamp 30is reversed so as to cooperate with the secondary stationary clamping member 34. V

In the clamping device shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a pair of side clamping plates 35 are employed having oppositely disposed curved portions 36, as shown in Fig. 6, that form hooks for engaging around the extension 8 of the frame 7. These plates are clamped in position by a screw 37 that passes through the plates and draws the latter firmly against the opposite side of the handle portion 32 of the pistol frame. In order to adapt the device for different styles of pistols, the clamping means may be varied to suit any given requirement, and in case the barrels on the pistols should vary in diameter, a filler piece 38, as shown in Fig. 8, is arranged in the barrel rest 28 so that the barrel of the pistol will be firmly held.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains.

In operation, the supporting rod 1 is thrust into the ground a sufficient distance to give stability to the trap and a suitable bait is attached to the wire 13. The trapper, while standing behind the trap and out of range of the gun, cocks the hammer and thereby sets the trap. When an animal picks up the bait to eat the same, the supporting frame 7 is free to swing as the animal pulls on the bait so that the pistol will aim directly in line with the animalshead and when the pull is suflicient to actuate the rod 12, the trigger operating member 20 will fire off the pistol. The animal is thus shot and the bait drops out of the animals mouth, so that the trap will be ready for killing another animal that disturbs the bait. By using a Belgian double-acting Winchester pistol, the trap is self-setting and will fire a number of times.

In case it is desired to use the pistol for shooting as a rifle, the frame 7 is detached from the supporting rod 1 by taking out the bolt 6 and the bait rod 12 is also removed. The adjustable clamping member 30 for holding the butt end of the pistol is taken off and the frame 7 turned upside down and turned up end for end so that the pistol can be clamped to the stationary clamping member 34, as shown in Fig. 3, the clamping member 30 being reversed, as shown. The frame 7 thus serves as a gun stock and the pistol can be fired after the fashion of a rifle.

I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, but desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is merely illustrative and that such changes may be made when desired, as are within the scope of the claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is: p V 7 1. In a device of the class described, the combination of anframe, a supporting structure on which the frame is hingedly mounted and swiveled, separate means for clamping a firearm on the frame to use the firearm for trapping or gunning purposes, a detachable bait-carrying member movably mounted on the frame, and a mechanism supported on the frame to discharge the firearm through the movement of the said member.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a frame, separate means for clamping a firearm thereto to use the latter for trapping or gunning purposes, and a mounting for supporting the frame to freely move, a baitcarrying member mounted on the frame, and means between the member and trigger of the firearm to discharge ,the latter.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a frame in the form of a stock, means for clamping a pistol to the frame in different positions, means for pivotally mounting the frame and supporting it above the ground, a trigger actuating mechanism on the frame, and means for attaching a bait thereto. a

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a support adapted to be staked in the ground, a swiveled yoke thereon, a frame detachably supported on the yoke to swing on a horizontal axis and in the form of a stock, means for clamping a firearm to the frame in different positions, a trigger actuating mechanism on the frame, and means for attaching a bait to the said mechanism.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a supporting rod adapted to be stuck into the ground, a swiveled member thereon, a frame pivoted on the member to swing on a horizontal axis, means for clamping a pistol to the frame, a trigger actuating member, a baitcarrying rod on the frame, and a lever between the rod and trigger member for operating the latter.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a frame having an extension, clamping means on the extension for securing the handle end of the pistol to the frame, a rest on the frame for receiving the barrel of the pistol, means for mounting the frame to swing on two right-angularly disposed axes, a trigger actuating mechanism, and means for attaching a bait to the mechanism.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a frame, means for supporting the same, a longitudinally movable bait-carrying member mounted on the frame, a reciprocating trigger actuating member on the frame, and a lever hingedly connected with the trigger actuating member and detachably connected with the bait-carrying member.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a frame shaped in the form of a gun stock and provided with an extension, clamping means for securing a pistol to the extension in different positions, and a rest on the frame for receiving the barrel of the pistol when in one position.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM KLESPIES.

Witnesses W. F. TATOM, A. A. LE'roURNO. 

